Highgate United 3 v 1 Coleshill Town

A dissapointing night at Highgate saw Coleshill's new management team lose their first game in charge. Still, one defeat in twelve, second place with a game in hand isn't bad but few players came out of the game with credit and the home team deserved the victory even if the celebrations were O.T.T.

Coleshill continued with the 4-3-3 formation in an unchanged team, Ryan Scott signed from Alvechurch this week was on the bench. Last year Coleshill produced one of their best performances at Gate, winning 2-0 but the home team were determined that there would be no repeat and were well up for the game.

Neil Kitching had the first real chance and the striker should have done better than head David Brush's cross wide. Highgate's two wide men, Dyane Houston and Kieran Robotham were finding plenty off space and it was a toss up which one was man of the match, the latter just edged it. Chris Butler made a double save first from Robotham but the second, a much better one from Arron Daniels. Danny Carter had a shot blocked, Robotham's cross was cleared for a corner, Matty Robinson only just failed to get on the end of a Sam Chatwin cross before the two best chances of the half, one to each side. Robinson dummied a throw in and the ball fell kindly for Carter who shot quickly making the home keeper work but the rebound fell to Kitching who headed goalward only to see his effort clawed away from under the bar. Daniels looked off side but was allowed to go on and Chris Butler did a great job to stand tall and eventually save at the strikers feet. Daniels shot over then Houston's long run ended dissapointingly for the home crowd with a shot over the bar, and the same player had an even better chance two minutes later. Richard Kavanagh made a great saving tackle as the half time approached but unfortunately was unable to continue in the second.

Coleshill were struggling to make an impact as Daniels lifted the ball over Butler and the bar from a one on one. But the striker returned with the first goal on 53 minutes. Robotham's cross skidded off the slippery surface and was half cleared but Daniels returned the ball goalward and despite Butler and Hipkiss on the line, found the net. Coleshill had a clear shout for handball in the oppontents box as the wet surface again caused problems. Highgate substitute Jordan Street battled his way through the Coleshill reguard and should have done better than send his shot wide but on 61 mins United were back to increase the lead with Darlington's unopposed header from a corner. Coleshill had another shout for a penalty as Campbell went down in the box but it would have been harsh. Campbell was finally making the home defence work as Town found some heart. It was his hold up play that allowed Matty Robinson the room to shoot across the keeper for a life line for Coleshill on 75 mins, 2-1 and game on.
Unfortunately only a minute later Simon Volante was sent off for his second yellow of the game. Josh McPherson had a header tipped onto the bar as Town went in search of an unlikely equaliser but the game was over on 83 mins when Daniels cut inside and shot home with the outside of his foot, 3-1. With seconds left Rob Hipkiss's wild challenge should have earned him a booking but Daniels reaction earned him a straight red.

No game this week end then four home games on the trot, so not all is lost but it doesn't just take talent to win this league, it takes sheer hard work, grit and determination and a never say die attitude as no team in this division will lie down, especially when it has been widely published that Coleshill are the favourites to win the championship.